Operation Christmas Child is gearing up for the annual shoe-box donations that go out to more than 100 countries.
Operation Christmas Child, billed as "the world's largest Christmas project," is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse, a Christian-based relief and evangelical organization with headquarters in Charlotte and a facility in Boone. The shoe boxes are collected from all over the world and consolidated in Boone, where they are shipped out to children suffering from poverty, disease, famine or war. This year, Samaritan's Purse hopes to deliver 8 million shoe boxes.
In 2008, the Boone area contributed 84,409 shoe boxes to the Operation Christmas Child effort.  This year, organizers hope to collect over 85,000 gift-filled shoe boxes from families, kids, churches, schools and civic organizations in the area.
"Operation Christmas Child is a unique opportunity to do something as simple as packing a shoe box that will have a lasting impact on a child a world away," said Karen Bromby, Operation Christmas Child regional director. "We are excited about the 2009 collection season as community members have already begun packing shoe box gifts."
Local collections can be delivered to the Boone processing center at 801 Bamboo Road, from Nov. 16 through 23. Collection hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Appalachian State University has launched a drive as well, spearheaded by the Athletics Department and Sons of Light Ministry. A drive is underway to collect shoe boxes at sporting events and on campus.
Packed shoe boxes can be dropped off at the Grandfather Mountain Ballroom of the Plemmons Student Union from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Nov. 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Shoe boxes can also be donated at the ASU men's basketball game on Nov. 17 or to the ASU football game against Western Carolina on Nov. 21.
For information about the on-campus collections, contact Megan Anderson at (336) 692-8406 or by email at MAnderson0783@gmail.com.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 69 million shoe boxes to children. Shoe boxes are filled with toys, school supplies, clothing items, and hygiene products. Monetary donations, with $7 or more suggested for each box, also support the cost of shipping the boxes.
Operation Christmas Child uses tracking technology that allows donors to "follow your box" to the destination country where it will be hand-delivered to a child in need. To register shoe box gifts and find out what country they are delivered to, use the EZ Give donation form found at www.samaritanspurse.org.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (704) 583-1463 or visit the Web site.